Fence-making machine.



No. 647,762. Patented Apr. l7, I900. A. E. ROBERTS. FENCE MAKING-MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 17, 1699.)

7 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

} 71459160 J65 I a/calf:

Patented Apr. I7, 1900.

A. ROBERTS.

FENCE MAKING MACHINE. I (Application 11196 Nov. 17, 1599.

7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

TN! Nouns Fmns cc. mmuwcq wmlnoTcn n c No. 647,762. Patented Apr. 17,1900. A. E. ROBERTS. FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

(Applination filed Nov. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) 7 Shuatr-Shaei 3.

.M a .w New 3% fl jineoseo".

TnE roams mm: 00.. FHOfO-LlTHO-. WASHINGTON. o. c.

Patented Apr. I7, i900.

A. BOBEBTS. FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

(Appucation filed Nov 17 1899) (No Model.) '7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

No. 647,762. Patented Apr. I7, 1900. A. E. ROBERTS.

FENCE MAKING MACHINE.

, (Application filed Nov. 17, 1899.) i (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

9 m 21 f! n Z1 1 f 4 I k :7/ r3 7' g f r No. 647,762. Patented Apr. I7, I900. A. E. ROBERTS.

"FENCE MAKING MACHINE. (Applieat n flledN v 17 1899) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 6'.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

ALBERT E. ROBERTS, OF NORWALK, OHIO;

FENCE-MAKING MACHINE.

sPnornIcArIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 647,762, dated. April 17, ieoo.

Application filed NovemberlV, 1899. Serial No. 737,306. (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. ROBERTS, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Nor walk, in the county of Huron and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fence-Making Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanyin g drawings.

The object of the invention is to provide an automatic machine for rapidly making indefinite lengths of wire fence substantially like that of which a section is shown in Figure 16. This fence consists of a plurality of horizontal running-wires and vertical stays secured thereto at suitable intervals, each stay consisting of two wires Whose ends are wound about the top and bottom running-Wires and which lie on opposite sides of the intermediate running-wires and are twisted together between the running-wires.

The invention consists in the novel combination of parts embodied in the machine as shown in the drawings and as hereinafter described, and pointed out definitely in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a plan View of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation in the plane indicated by line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one end of the machine, this view showing the oppositeside of the machine to that shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detached view of the mechanism for cutting 01f the staywires. Fig. 6 is adetached view of the mechanism for moving the twister-shaft so that the twisters will be turned back into position to receive the stay-wires. Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the movable guide-plates and the arm to which it is attached. bet-A and parts supported thereon. Fig. 9 is a sectional View on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a rear end view of the winder shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the rear end thereof. Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional View of the winder on that side of the machine which is nearest the stay-\vire-feeding mechanism. Fig. 13 is .a rear end view of said winder. Fig. 14 is a plan View of the rear end thereof. Fig. 15 is a vertical see- Fig. 8 is a rear view of the mem-' tional view in a plane passing through one of the twisters and its bearing. Fig. 16 is a slightly-perspective view of the fence which this machine is designed to make. Fig. 17 is a sectional side elevation of certain parts of the mechanism in the plane indicated by line 17 17 of Fig. 1. Fig. lSis a vertical sectional view of one of the slotted twisters. Fig. 19 is a detached view of one end of the part of the mechanism for moving the hook-arms 1.78. Fig. 20 is a sectional view of the spring-pin c in the end of the arm a. Fig. 21 is a central sectional view of the mechanism at one end of the reel. Fig. 22 is an end view of the same mechanism. Fig. 23 is a sectional view of one end of the collapsible reel. Fig. 24 is an end view of one end of the collapsible reel. Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the rear end of the stay-Wire winder on that side of the machine which is nearest the wire-feeding mechanism. Fig. 26 is a sectional side elevation of one of the fixed guide-plates 7a and of the fence-wires in the position they assume when the twisters stop their twisting movement, and Fig. 27 is a sectional plan of one of the end winders and the fence-wires when the stays have been formed and attached to the running-wires.

The various moving parts of the machine are supported on a frame, the essential parts of which are two side members A A and the transverse member A, which is secured to the tops of the side members. The runningwires X, of which there may be as many as desired, are threaded through the machine, passing through a horizontal slot at in the member A, through guide-holes 7a in certain fixed plates 70 to be presently described, through a horizontal slot 11 in the top member of the swinging frame, through fixed clamps which prevent any retrogression of the fence, over a guide-roller Y, and then to a reel T, upon which the finished fence is Wound. The running-wires enter the machine through wirestraighteners Z of any suitable construction, which may be secured to a transverse bar A at the front end of the machine. The staywires X X are automatically fed from one side of the machine across said running-wires and are cut off. Their ends are wound about the outside running-wires, and the two wires are twisted together between the runningl segment. The gear-segment engages with V in'the other.

vided, by means of which this pinion may be wires by rotating twisters G, so as to be firmly attached to the running-wires.

The driving-shaftF is mounted in the side members, and so also is the crank-shaft B, to

which motion is transmitted from the driv ing-shaft by means of two gears f f, secured tothe driving-shaft, and two gears b and 12,

secured to we ends of the crank-shaft. A gear-segment O is secured to a rock-shaft c, which is'mounted inv the side frame members parallel to the crank-shaft. .A connectingr'od' c is employed to transmit motion from the crank b? of the crank-shaft to this gearsegment, the rear end of said connecting-rod being connected in the usual manner with the crank-pin c on said segment. The rotation of the crank-shaft therefore causes reciprocating rocking movement of this gearthe pinion E, which is loosely mounted on a shaft D, which I call the twister-shaft. A plurality of gears d are secured to this shaft. The function of these gears is to turn the wire twisters G, and therefore I call these gears the twister-gears. As the gear-segment C oscillates backward and forward it turns thepinion E first in one direction and then An automatic clutch is pro connected and disconnected from the twistershaft. One set of ratchet-teeth e, which form a part of this clutch, are on the end 'of the hub of this pinion E, the other set of ratchet-' teeth d being on the end of a sliding sleeve d, which is connected with the shaft by a tongue and groove, which permits the sleeve to slide upon the shaft, but compels both to rotate together. This sleeve has anannular groove in which the fork (i engages, this fork being fastened to a sliding bar (1 which is supported on the member A by means of screw d passing through slots d -in said bar.

' The o'uter end of this bar is connected with one end of a lever d, which is pivoted to the frame of the machine, and the other end of this lever engages with a cam 19 formed on the side of the gear I). move this bar in the direction which causes the disengagement of the ratchet-teeth on said sleeve and pinion, while the cam causes it to move in the opposite direction. It is A "evident, therefore, that during each revolu.

Lion-of the crank-shaft the pinion E will befor a time connected with the shaft Dand for a time disconnected therefrom.

The stay-twistersG have a geared port-ion Q,

- whereby they are revolved by means-of the I twister-gears d referred'to.

In the hub of each twister is a circumferential groove 9, in which the bearing for said twister engages. Each of these bearings is formed of two members. One member has the box'part h of the bearing and an upwardly-extended bracketarm h, which issecured to the rear face of the member A by means of a bolth. The other member of the hearing has a cap part h 'and a bracket-arm h, which is secured :to

the hearing by the same bolt h shown in Figs. 3 and 26.

A spring d? 'acts to the frame member Aand to the other part of The rear ends of these two parts of the bearings are separated, whereby there is formed what may be termed a slot h in the bearings, through which the twisted stays may be withdrawn. The stay-twisters G havegeach a radial slot 9 extending from the periphery inward a short distance past the axis,tthe width of this slot being a'little greater than the di ameter of one of the stay-wires employed.

This slot extends from one end to the other of the twister, and that end of the slot into which the stay-wires are fed is beveled outward, as at 9 (shown in Fig. 18,) to facilitate the entrance of said wires into said twister. Secured to the rear face of the member A are other brackets K, lying between the bracketarms which carry the twister-bearings, and on the lower ends of these brackets are the fixed guide-plates 70. These guide-plates are of such width that they approximately fill the space between adjacent twisters. These fixed guide-plates have each a hole is, through which a running-wire is fed, and these holes consequently serve as guides for the running wires. The rear faces of said platesincline downward and rearward, substantially as A rock-shaft k is mounted upon themember A, and to'this rockshaft a plurality of arms 263 are secured. To the lower ends of these arms are secured the movable guide -plates is. These movable plates have in their faces, which are adapted to contact with the .rear faces of the fixed plates, two horizontal transverse grooves 70 Whenthe movable guide-plates are in contact with the fixed guide plates, these grooves form holes through which the stay-wires are guided as they'are fed across themachine and through the twisters. It will be noticed from Fig. 3 that when the'pla'tes 70 are in contact with the plates 70 theseguide-grooves lie one above and one below the running-wire guidehole is in .the fixed guide-plate, Wherefore said grooves will guide one stav-wire above, and one below the running-wire. The lower edges 'of these-movable guide-plates have each a notch 70 which straddles the running-Wire. The rock-shaft 7& has near one-end anupwardly-extended arm 70. To this arm a link 75 is pivoted, the front end of the link being pivoted to one end of the lever it which is itself pivoted to the frame of the machine. The lower end of this lever is engaged by a cam b on the crank-shaft. This camacting upon the lever causes, through the intermediate mechanism, the movable guide-plates k to be swung down against the fixed guideplates 7t. A spring 70 which surrounds said link and thrusts against a shoulder 7.5 thereon and against a bracket a through which said linkpasses, acts to movesaid'rock-shaft so as tolift the movable guide-plates-into the position substantially as shown in Fig. 9.

The two outside running-wires-thtt is to say, thewireswhich will be the top and bottom wires of the completed fence -pass axially through tubular stay-wire winders M, which pass through and are rotatably mounted in the member A. The function of these winders is to wind the ends of the stays upon the two outside running-wires. These winders are each rotated in one direction only by means of two vertically-movable racks L and the following mechanism, namely: a pinion m, loosely mounted on the rotatable winder and having ratchet-teeth 'm on its front end, asleeve m having ratchet-teeth m on its rear end for engaging with the ratchet-teeth on the pinion, which sleeve has a tongue-andgroove connection with the winder, and a spring m surrounding the winder, which thrusts endwise against a collar m secured thereto, and against this sleeve. This sleeve m has a ratchet-notch m on its outer periphery, which is engaged by the pawl m pivoted to the member A. hen, therefore, the racks move upward, each rotates the associated pinion and it, through the ratchet-clutch referred to, rotates the tubular winder. When the rack moves down, the sliding sleeve m is prevented from rotating by the pawl referred to, and as the pinion'rotates in the reverse direction the sleeve yields backward and permits this operation, the winder remaining stationary. Both of these end winders are alike in the particulars described, but that one which is nearest the stay-wire-feeding mechanism has certain peculiarities in the construction of that part which engages with the ends of the stay-wires. The stay-wires pass through a transverse hole m in the rear end of this winder and both of the wires pass over the running-wire which is threaded through this winder. This is because the axis of this winder is a little below the axis of the other running-wires. In the winder is a longitudinally movable pin m which when the winder is at rest lies above the hole through which the running-wire passes. This pin has an upturned arm m upon which a spring m operates to withdraw the pin into the winder, as shown in Fig. 12. The upper end of this arm is adapted to engage with a fixed. camsurface a, whereby as the winder is rotated the pin is pushed out over the stay-wires which have been fed through the winder. Just before this is done, however, a shearingknife J cuts off the stay'wires. This knife is a pivoted lever, the shearing end of which moves downward across the end of a fixed guide-block I, having two holes through which the stay-wires are fed transversely through the winder and then across the machine. When this cut-0E lever is operated, it draws the cut-off ends of the stay-wires downward,

substantially as shown in Fig. 25, and holds them down until the winder has begun to rofate and the pin on in consequence has been pushed outward over said stay-wires. The rotation of this winder brings this pin into contact with the tops of the stay-wires, whereby the ends thereof are wound around the running-wires. The outer rear end 071. of this winder is of spiral formation, wherefore as the winder revolves the lower end of the spiral is carried in front of the stay-wires,and as the winder continues to revolve this spiral pushes the stay backward on the runningwire, wherefore the ends are not wound upon each other, but are wound directly upon the running-wire. The friction induced by the pressure of the pin upon the ends of the staywires holds the pin out in operative position until the said ends of the stay-wires have been wound upon the running-wire, whereupon, the friction .being removed, the pin is moved by its spring 'into the winder again when the cam-surface a permits it to so move. The other winder has on itsoperative end a cam-faced flange m, through which a transverse hole on is formed' The ends of the stay-wires just before they reach this winder as they are being fed across the machine pass into a funnel-shaped groove 8 in a block S, by means of which both wires are guided above the running-wire, passing transversely through this hole m in the winder-flange. When the winder rotates, the top of this hole engages with the projecting'ends of the staywires, whereby they are wound about the running-wire. The cam-shaped face of the flange on the end of the winder engages with the stay-wires and pushes them rearward, whereby the stay-wires are wound smoothly upon the running-wire. The racks L which operate these winders are themselves caused to move up and down through their engagement with two pinions 0 secured to a shaft 0, which is mounted in hearings on the lower ends of brackets a, secured to the frame memher A. A pinion O, is secured to this shaft, and this pinion engages with the pinion E,

which, it will be remembered, is rotated first in one direction or the other by the gear-seg ment 0.

The shearingknife J for cutting off the stay-wires is caused to operate by the following mechanism: An arm 0 is secured to the rook-shaft c, to which the gear-segment O is secured. In the upper end of this arm is a transverse spring-pin 0 having abeveled inner face a and this pin is adapted to engage with the lower end of the cut-off lever when this arm is swinging backward. When the arm a swings forward, however, the beveled face of the spring-pin engages with the cutoff lever, whereby the spring-pin is forced back into the arm 0 which is thereby permitted to pass said lever without moving it.

' The winding of the stay-wires upon the outside running-wires exerts a force tending to draw said wires inward. To prevent them from so moving, two vertically-movable bars R are provided, which bars have forks r on their lower ends which are adapted to take over the two outside running-wires close to the winders, as shown in Fig. 8. These bars are movable vertically in suitable guides M,

which are secured to the member A. Their.

. 5 mechanism to the driving-shaft, and this con- I upper ends areprovided with pins which made fast. This bevel-gear is in mesh with abevel-gearv't on a shaft 7?, and this shaft vided for that purpose.

which is rotatively mounted upon the shaft sleeve n with-theshaft n Onepart of the the other part is on the sliding sleeve n hav- 40 of this lever engages with a cam 19 on the inner face of the gear 22. Thus for every revomechanism is set into operation with the reenter inclined slots r in a horizontal movable bar r which bar is movably securedjto two brackets a by means of bolts a, secured to said brackets and passing through horizontal slots 1" in the bar. This bar is moved transversely of the machine'by means of a lever r having its forward end projected into a hole in the bar. This lever is pivoted to a rearwardlyextended bracket a secured to the member A, and the rear end of the lever has a fork 1", which straddles a cam 19 on the crankshaft. For every revolution of the crank-shaft therefore this lever is moved back and forth once, whereby through the intermediate mechanism described these fork-bars R are moved down, so=as to engage the outside running-wires, and this engagement is maintained during'the winding and twisting op-. erations and are then moved up, so as to permit the stay to be moved rearward a distance between two stays by the mechanism pro-.

The mechanism for feeding the stay-wires across; the running-wires consists of two grooved rollers n n. The roller n is fast to a shaft 11 to which also a bevel-gear n is is driven at the proper times by means of a sprocket-ehain m which engages with sprocket-wheels f and 71 secured, respectively, to the driving-shaft and to a sleeve n n ratchet-clutch is provided for automatically connecting and disconnecting this ratchet-clutch is on this rotatable sleeve and ing a tongue-and-groove connection with the, shaft This sliding sleeve has an annular groove 11 in which a fork 01, engages, this fork being made fast to a sliding bar n The other end of this bar is pivotally connected with a-lever n which is in turn pivoted to the frame of the machine, and the other end lution of the crank-shaft this ratchet-clutch will be moved ;to connect the wire-feeding nection will then be broken when enoughof the stay-wires have been fed across the machine.

The parts described operate in substantially the following sequence: After the movable guide-plates have been closed down against the fixed guide-plates the stay-wirefeeding sult that the stay-wires-are fed across the running-wires. It will be remembered that the first winder is placed so that the running-wire which'passes through it is slightly below the other runningwires, wherefore both staywires pass over this running-wire. The stay-Y wires then enter the guide-grooves between with the end wires, have been lifted.

the fixed and movable guide -plates '70 70 These guide-grooves have flaring bell-shaped months 70 so that the ends of the'wires may readily enter them. These wires are then guided in these grooves into the twister-slots, so that one wire passes over and another wire passes under all of the running-wires until the other outside running-wire is reached. The stay-wires are then guided upward by the funnel-shaped hole 3 in the block '8, so

that both stay-Wires pass over this outside running-wire. The revolution of the stay wire-feeding mechanismis thereupon auto matically suspended. The forked bars B have in the meantime descended so as to embrace the two outside running-wires. The upward movement of the racks'L then. begins, with the result that the winding-of the ends of the stay-wires upon the outside runningwires'is 1 begun. When these Winders have revolved once, more or less, the pinion E is connected with the twister-shaft D by the operation of the ratchet-clutch referred to, and thereupon the revolution of the twisters begins. These twisters, it will be noticed, are placed substantially midway between the adjacent running-wires, and theytwist together the two stay-wires.v In the machine as organized these twisters are intended to make two complete revolutions, and they come torest when the twister-shaft is discon nected from the pinion E in substantially the position shown in Fig. .15, which is the position from which they started. In this position, however, it is clear that the stays cannot be withdrawn through the slots k in the twister-bearings. On the other hand, if the stay-wire twisters were to; cease revolving when the slot is in a horizontal position, as shown, in Fig. 9,-the stays could notbe easily 'removed, because the stays tend 'to untwist, and thereforethey would bind-in the twisterslots. In order, therefore, that the stays may be removed, these twisters are brought to rest in the position shown in Fig. 15, and are then turned, backward until 'their slot is in line with the slot in thebearings, as shown in Fig. 17, and they are so moved by mechanism to be presently explained. This backward movement of the twisters allows the twisted stays tountwist as much as they tend to untwist. They therefore lie in the twister-slots Without binding therein when said slots arein a horizontal position, and. when in this position the finished fence is drawn rearward and thestays are drawn out of the embrace of the twisters. It should be here said that at this time the fork-bars R,'which engage The mechanism bywhich'these twisters are turned so as to bringthe slots into horizontal position "to relieve the tension upon the twisted stays isas follows lhe: twister-shaft is provided with'a crank-arm'd having 'a friction-roller d. (See Fig. 4.) A sliding bar V, having an inclined rear slide, is mounted on the side of one of the frame members A, and this rear end is adapted to bemoved against this friction-roller. A friction-roller b on the inner face of the gear I) is adapted to engage with the beveled front end 0 of this sliding bar to so move it,and does engage with it immediately the clutch is moved to disconnect the gear I) and twister-shaft E. The movement of this sliding bar and its engagement with the said friction-roller d causes the twistershaft to be turned backward far enough to turn the twisters so that their slots are in horizontal position and in communication with the slots in their bearings. When they are in this position, the finished fence is drawn rearward by the swinging frame, to be described, the movable guide-plates 76 having in the meantime been rocked upward by the instrumentalitie's heretofore described for that purpose. Now before the stay-wires are again fed into the machine these twisters must be returned to the position from which theyhave j ust been movednamely,to the position where their slots are inclined and in line with the guide-grooves in the guide-plates 7 c 7r and this is effected by means of a lever WV, which is pivoted to the bracket a, whose rear end is adapted to engage in a notch 61 in a disk c1 attached to the twister-shaft. The front end of this lever is engaged by a cam 19 on the crank-shaft, which .by its engagement rocks the lever, and the lever by engaging in this notch turns the twister-shaft forward suiiiciently to cause the twisters to resume the desired position--namely, that in which their slot is inclined-as shown in Fig. 15. A spring w acts upon this lever to move it in opposition to the cam.

Attention is here called to two peculiarities ,in the finished fence made in the machine, reference being first made to the form of the two outside running-wires. As the stay-wires are twisted together the stays are more orless shortened. This twisting does not begin,however, until the wires are wrapped at least once around the end wires. Therefore this twisting of the stay-wires tends to draw the outside running-wires inward. This tendency is resisted by the fork-bars R and by the winders through which the wires are threaded, and the result is that these two outside wires are bent inward justa little, as shown in Figs. 16 and 27, this bend being between the winder and the forked bar R in that part of the running-wire upon which the stay-wires are twisted. This bend or kink x in these two outside wires tends to prevent the stays from being moved along the same andalso permits the contraction and expansion of these running-wireswithoutinjury to the fence. The intermediate running-wires are also kinked or bent. The bend, however,

.is in what will be when the fence is erected a horizontal plane, and this kink is due to the stress of the two stay-wiresthat is to say, the stay-wire which is on top of the runningwire bends the running-wire downward, and the stay-wire which is on the bottom of the running-wire bends it upward, the rear end of the longitudinal hole It in the guide-plate K being enlarged above the wire to permit such bending, the result being the slight kink shown at in Figs. 16 and 26. parts of the intermediate running-wires are embraced by the stays,which are thereby prevented from moving along said wires, and they also permit the expansion and contraction of said running-wires.

I will now describe the manner in which the fence is moved through the machine periodically a distance equal to the desired distance between the stays.

A swinging frame having two side arms P P and a transverse top member P is pivoted to the side members A A by pivots, which These bent,

pass through the lower ends of said side arms P. This top member is pivoted on a horizontal pivot to the side arms; but it has only a limited movement because of an arm 19, which is bolted thereto and passes loosely through a hole in an upwardly-extended bracket 0 secured to the transverse member A. This top memberof the swingingframe has a transverse slot 19 through it, through which all of the running-wires pass and through which the stay-wires may also pass after they have been secured to the running-wire. A plurality of clamps p are pivoted on horizontal pivots to the top member of this swinging frame above the slot 19 therein and are so placed that the lower ends of these clamps may engage with the running-wires. clamps are of such length that they will bite upon the running-wires and hold them down firmly against the part of the top member below the slot therein. Springs p are provided for inducing this clamping action, and forked arms 19 are also secured to the clamps for embracing the running-wires to hold them in proper relation to the clamps. A bar 19 lies just in front of all of these clamps, and this bar is secured at its ends to two bell-crank levers p, which are pivoted to the top member. The upper arms of these bell-crank levers are adapted to engage with the curved arms a", secured to the member A, when this swinging frame is moved forward, the result being that these bell-crank levers are rocked upon their pivots and the bar 12 engaging with all of the clamps, swings them up out of engagement with the running-wires. These clamps are held up out of engagement with the runningwires until the swinging frame has moved rearward a short distance. A transverse rockshaft p is also pivoted to the top member of this swinging frame, and to it are secured a plurality of forwardly-extending arms p ,havi'ng hooks on their forward ends. these arms fall by gravity to a position where These Normally they may pass under the stays, and they do pass under them when the swinging frame is moving forward. On this rock-shaft at each end, a sliding sleeve 19 is mounted, which is connected therewith with a tongue and groove, and a spring 19 is provided for moving this sleeve as far as it can be moved in one direction. An inclined plate a is secured 'to each of the side frame members A, and

this plate has an inner beveled face a; This plate is placed in such positionthat when the swinging frame moves'forward an arm'p which is fast to said sleeve 19", engages with this beveled face a and is moved'inward against its spring without producing any effeet upon the position of the rock -shaft.

\Vhen the frame has completed its iforward movement, this armlhas moved past this plate e "Then the spring moves the sleeve outward. When, therefore, the swinging frame begins its rearward movement, this arm 19 en? gages this plate,the result being that the rock'- shaft is rocked slightly, but enough to swing the hooks up behind the twisted staysfWhen this swinging frame moves rearward, therefore, two instrumentalities act together to draw the fence with -it-namely, the hook- I arms 19 which engage with the'stays,-and the clamps, which engage with the running-wires and clamp themdown upon the topmemb'er Thefinished fence is therefore drawn rearward the desired distance between two stays. This frame is caused to rock-backward and forward by means of of the swinging frame.

connecting-rods 19 which connect the side arms P with crank-pins which project out-' 'ward from thegears b and b. The finished fence passes through a slot q in a fixed trans verse bar Q. A plurality of clamp-fin'gersq. are pivoted tothis bar above the slot q in position to engage with the running-wires andto clamp them onto the part of the bar below the slot. These clamps are movedin the clampingdirection by springs. Fork-arms g are fastened to the clamps and straddle the running-wires. These clamps and associated parts'are like those carried by the swinging frame, andthey operate automatically to prevent'any retrogression of the fence, but perquit it to be'moved toward the delivery end of the machine. .The finished fence after passing through 'these'clamps passes'over a guideroller Yand thence to a collapsible reel, upon.

which it is Wound. The reel T is on a transverse shaft 2, whichis removably-mounted in bearings at the delivery end of the machine.

The pulley t is loosely mounted on this shaft, and it carries twos pring-pawls t, which en- 1 gage with a rachet t secured to the shaft.

This ratchet-and-pawl connection between the reel-shaft and pulley makes it possible to turnthe fence-making mechanism backward without turning the reel-shaftbaekward. 'A belt passes around the pulley t and around a pulley on the driving-shaft. Through this pulley and the other mechanism described the reel-shaftis turned, so as to wind up as much of the fence as is drawn along by the swinging frame D. At other times the belt slips on this pulley, and applied thereto is such force tending to turn it that the fence is held taut and prevented from being drawn backward by any of the mechanisms which operate to make the fence.

The reel, as shown, is a collapsiblereel. It

consists of three disks i loosely mounted on the shaft 25, each of which has a plurality of bell-crank levers if -pivoted to it, and the bars v2S7, which are parallel to the shaft and are secured to the outerarins of these levers. The inner arm of these levers engages with camsurfacest on a disk i which is keyed to the shaft. I Vhen'the' shaft is turned in the direction to wind up the reel, the cam-surfaces referred 'topushthe levers out, and thereby expand the reel until shoulders 25 at the ends of' the cam-surfaces'engage with the levers, whereby the reel is caused'to revolve with the shaft;'but when the shaft is turned relatively backward these levetsfmove inward and draw the bars inward, thereb'ycontracting'the reel, whereby the bale offence may be remo'vedfrom it."

IIaving described my invention, '1' claim nation of 'aplurality'o'f longitudinal runningwire 'guides,.intermediate slotted bearings, rotatable slotted "twisters mounted therein, mechanism for sim ultaneously rotating all of said twisters, and mechanism for feeding two stay-wires into the slots in the twisters, one

'-w-ire above and one below the intermediate running-wires," substantially as specified.

.2. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of longitudinal.runningwire guides, intermediate slotted bearings,

rotatable slotted twisters mounted therein,

mechanism for simultaneously rotating all of said twisters, and.mechanism for feeding two stay-wires across the machine and into the slots in the twisters, one wireabove and one below the intermediate running-wires, mech anism for cutting off the stay-wires, substan- 3. In .a fence making machine through which a plurality of running-wires may be threaded, rotary twisters and their slotted bearings located between the running-wires,

and winders rotatableabout the two outside running-wires, combined with mechanism for feeding two stay-wires into said twisters on opposite sides of the intermediate runningwires, and into the embrace of said winders, and mechanism for rotating said twisters and winders, substantially as specified.

at. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of longitudinal runningwire guides, intermediate slotted bearings, rotatable slotted twisters mounted therein, mechanism for simultaneously rotating all of said twisters, and mechanism for feedingtwo stay-wires across-the machine and into the slots in the twisters, one wire above and one below the intermediate running-wires, and

mechanism for cutting'off the stay-wires, andmechanism for winding the ends of the stays upon the two outside running-wires, substantially as specified. I

5; In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of longitudinal runningwire guides, intermediate slotted bearings,

" '1. In a fence-making machine, thecombislotted twisters mounted in said bearings, mechanism for feeding two staywires transversely of the machine, guides which guide said stay-wires into the slots in the twisters and onto the same side of each of the two on tside running-wires, and onto opposite sides of the intermediate running-Wires, wire-cutoff mechanism for cutting off the stay-wires, and winders for winding the ends of the staywires about the outside running-wires, substantially as specified.

6. In a fence-making machine,.the combination of a plurality of longitudinal runningwire guides, a plurality of intermediate rotatable slotted twisters, slotted bearings for said twisters, fixed and movable guide-plates between said twisters having in their engaging faces transverse grooves for the staywires, one above and one below the runningwire, with mechanism for feeding the staywires across saidrunning-wires and through said guide-grooves and twisters, and means for winding the ends of the stay-wires around the outside running-wires, substantiallyas specified.

7. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of longitudinal runningwire guides, a plurality of intermediate rot-atable slotted twisters,slotted bearings for said twisters, fixed and movable guide-plates between said twisters having in their engaging faces transverse grooves for the stay-wires; one above and one below the running-wire guides, with mechanism for feeding the wire across said running-wires and through said guide -grooves and twisters, guides which guide both stay-wires to the same side of each of the outside running-wires, and meansfor winding the ends of the stay-wires around the outside running-wires, substantially as specified.

8. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of longitudinal runningwire guides, a plurality of intermediate r0 tatable slotted twisters, slotted bearings for said twisters, fixed and movable guideplates between said twisters having in their engaging faces transverse grooves for the staywires, one above and one below the runningwire guides, with mechanism for feeding the wires across said runningwires and through said guide-grooves and twisters, means for periodically connecting and disconnecting said stay-wire-feeding mechanism with the operating power, substantially as specified.

9. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of longitudinal runningwire guides, a plurality of intermediate rotatable slotted twisters, slotted bearings for said twisters, fixed and movable guide-plates between said twisters having in their engaging faces transverse grooves for the staywires, one above and one below the runningwire guides, with mechanism for feeding the wire across said running-wires and through said guide-grooves and twisters, with longitudinal tubular stay-wire winders, guides to guide both stay-wires into the embrace of said winders and onto the same side of each of said outside running-wires, and means for periodically rotating said winders whereby to wind the ends of the stay-wires about the running-wires, substantially as specified.

10. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of slotted bearings, slotted stay-wire twisters mounted therein, longitudinal guides for running-wires between said twisters, mechanism for periodically rotating said twisters, and bringing them to rest with their slots out of line with the slots in the bearings, mechanism for turning said twisters backward to bring said slots into line and to relieve the tension on the twisted stay-wires whereby said twisted stay-wires may be removed, substantially as specified.

11. In a fence-making machine, the combi nation of a plurality of slotted bearings,

slotted stay-wire twisters mounted therein,

longitudinal guides for runningwires between said twisters, mechanism for periodically rotating said twisters and bringing them to rest with their slots out of line with the slots in the bearings, mechanism for turning said twisters backward to bring said slots into line and to relieve the tension on the twisted stay-wires whereby said twisted stay-wires may be removed, and mechanism for turning said twisters forward to carry their slots out of line with the slots in their bearings, substantially as specified.

12. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of slotted stay-wire twisters each having a geared part and a cylindrical part, slotted hearings in which the cylindrical parts are mounted, a rotatable shaft, gears secured thereto meshing with the geared part of the twisters, and an automatic clutch for periodically connecting and disconnecting said shaft with a rotating part of the machine, substantially as specified.

13. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a plurality of slotted stay-wire twisters each having a geared part and a cylindrical part, slotted hearings in which the cylindrical parts are mounted, a rotatable shaft, gears secured thereto meshing with the geared part of the twisters, and an automatic clutch for periodically connecting and disconnecting said shaft with a rotating part of the machine, mechanism which operates after the shaft is disconnected for turning said shaft a short distance backward after the stays have been twisted whereby the slots in the twisters are brought into line with the slots in the bearings, substantially as specified.

1%. In a fence-making niachine, the combination of a plurality of slotted stay-wire twisters each having a geared part and a cylindrical part, slotted hearings in which the cylindrical parts are mounted, a rotatable shaft, gears secured thereto meshing with the geared part of the twisters, and an automatic clutch for periodically connecting and dis- 3 shaft, stay-wire guide-plates connected with connecting said shaft with a rotating part of. the'machine, means for turning said shaft a their proximate faces adapted to guide the stay-wires into the slots inthe twisters when short distance backward after'the stayshave been twisted whereby the slots in the-twisters are brought into line with the slots in the bearings, and mechanism for again turning said shaft forward a short-distance before said clutch operates to connect the shaft with said rotating part of the machine,and fixed and movable guide-plates intermediate of said twisters, having transverse grooves in' said slots are in the position into which they will be moved by the forward movement of said shaft, substantially as specified.

15. In a fence-making machine, the combination of guides for running-wires, stay-wire guides having grooves respectively above and below the running-wire guides, stay- Wire-feed ing mechanism, and means for movingsaid stay-wire guides out of and into operative position, with stay-wire-twisting mechanism located between said running-wire guides, sub-,'

stantially as specified. t I 16. In a fence-making machine, the combination of the running-wire guides,intermediate slotted stay-wire twisters, slottedbearings therefor, and fixed stay-wire guide-plates shaft, and stay-wire-feedin g mechanism, sub-- intermediate of said twisters, with the rocksaid rockrs haft, which guidej pla'tes have in the'face which contacts with the fixedplates,

two horizontalguide-grooves located respec- [tively above and below the runningwire guides, mechanism for operatingsaid rockstantially as specified.

through which the outside running-wires are threaded, a plurality of intermediate fixed- 17. In a fence-making machine, the combination of two tubular stay-.wire winders guideplates having longitudinal holes through which the intermediate runningwires are threaded, movable plates adapted to move into and out of contact with said fixed plates and having in their engaging faces horizontal transverse grooves which when the fixed and movable parts are in contact are located one above and one below the holes in the fixed plates through which the running-wires are threaded, slotted stay-wire twisters intermediate of said parts of guideplates, slotted hearings in which they are mounted, mechanism .for periodically feeding two stay-wires across the running-wires-in said guide-grooves and through the slotted twisters, a device for cutting off the stay wires, two movable forked bars adapted to be moved into engagement with the'two outside running-wires, mechanism for rotating the stay-wire winders, and mechanism which does not begin to operate until after said winders have begun their rotation for sim ultaneously rotating all of the stay-wire twisters, and mechanism for periodically moving the movand means for able guide-plates toward and from the fixed guide-plates, substantially as specified.

18. In a fence-making machine, the combinationof slotted stay-wire twisters, each having a geared part and a part in which a cylindrical annular groove is formed, with slot-ted bearings which embrace the grooved cylindrical part of the twisters,substantially as specified.

' ,19. Ina fence-making machine',the combinatio'nof slotted stay-wire twisters having each a geared part and a 'cylind'rical part, with bearings in which said cylindrical parts are mounted, eachbearing consisting of two hparts,' viz., one having a box part and a bracket-arm whereby it-can be connected witha suitable support and the other having the cap part of the bearing anda bracket-arm adapted to be connected to the bracket-arm of the other part, the outer edges'of the box 'andcap parts of the bearing being separate soa's toform aslot in-said bearing, substan- 20. In afence-makingmachine, theco mbiatron of a rotatable tubular stay-wire winder having a transverse hole through which the stay-wires pass and having a cam-shaped end,

' rotating said winder, substantialIyQas specified. J

21. Ina fence-making machine, the combination of a rotatable tubular stay-wire winder having a transverse hole in one.end,-'a rotatable gear mounted upon said tubular'win'der, a sliding sleei e upon said winder, and connected thereto by a tongue and groove, said gear andfsleeve having interlocking ratchet-teeth,

a reciprocating rack-bar engaging with said gear, and a pawl for engaging with a ratchettooth on the periphery of said sleeve, anda spring formoving said sleeve toward said gear, substantially as specified; v

22.. In a'fence-making machine, the combination of a rotatable tubular stay-winder through which a running-wiremay pass, havin g a transverse hole through which the staywires may .pass, a gear loosely mounted 011 said winder, a movable rack bar for turning said gear, and an automatic clutch for connecting said Winder and gear, substantially as specified. I p

23. In a fence-making machine, having guides for the runnin'g wires, and means for connecting stay-wires thereto, with a reciproeating swinging frame, and a plurality of antomatic clamps carried b'y-said frame and adapted to engagewith the. running-wires to IIO intermediate running-wires with which the stay-wires engage, substantially as specified.

25. In a fence-making machine, the combination of mechanism for winding the ends of two stay-wires upon the outside-r11nning-wires, and meansengaging with said outside running-wires on opposite sides of said staywires, and mechanism for twisting together two stay-wires which lie on opposite sides of the intermediate running-wires, whereby the parts of the outside running-wires with which the stay-wires engage are bent inward, and the parts of the intermediate running-wires with which the stay-wires engage are bent vertically out of line, substantially as specified.

26. Ina fence-making machine, the combination'of two. rotary winders which embrace the two outsiderunning-wires, and are adapted to wind the ends of stay-wires thereon, two fork-bars for engaging with said runningwires close to said Winders, guides for the intermediate running-wires, and twisters for twisting together between the running-wires, two stay-wires which lie on opposite sides of the intermediate running-wires, whereby the twisting of said stays bends the two outside wires inward and bends the intermediate running-wires out of the plane of said wires, substantially as specified.

27. In a fence-making machine, the combination of guides for running-wires, intermediate twisters, slotted brackets in which said twisters are mounted, mechanism for operating the twisters, with a series of hooks movable forward and backward and adapted to engage with the twisted stays and draw them out of the twisters and toward the delivery end of the machine, substantially as specified.

28. In a fence-making machine, the combination of guides for runningwires, intermediate slotted twisters, slotted brackets in which said twisters are mounted, mechanism for feeding two stay-wires respectively over and under said running-wires, mechanism for operating the twisters, with a swingin g frame, hooks carried thereby, and adapted to engage with the twisted stay-wires, and mechanism for operating said swinging frame, substantially as specified.

29. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a swinging frame consisting of two pivoted reciprocating side members and top member pivotally connected therewith, and means for limiting the movement of said member upon its pivot, with a series of hook-arms, a rock-shaft mounted on the frame, a series of hooks which are secured to said rock-shaft, and means for periodically operating said rock-shaft, substantially as specified.

30. In a fence-making machine, a reciprocating frame, a plurality of pivoted automatic clamps carried thereby for engagement with the running-wires, a bar which engages with all of saidclamps, pivoted arms to which said bar is secured, and a cam which engages with one of said arms, whereby all of said clamps are lifted olf the running-wires, substantially as specified. v

. 31. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a rotatable tubular stay-wire winder through which a running-wire is adapted to extend longitudinally, said winder having in one end a transverse hole for the passage of the stay-wires, a longitudinally-movable pin in said winder, and means for moving it out over the ends of the stay-wires, substantially as specified.

32. In a fence-making machine, the combination of a rotatable tubular stay-wire winder through which a running-wire is adapted to extend longitudinally, said winder having in one enda transverse hole for the passage of the stay-wires, a longitudinally-movable pin in said winder, having an upturned arm, a fixed cam-surface for engaging with said arm whereby it is moved outward over the ends of the stay-wires, and a spring for moving it in the opposite direction, substantially as specified.

33. In a fence-making machine, a stay-wire twister having a cylindrical part whereby it may be revolved, a geared part by which it may be revolved, and a radial slot which extends from the periphery inward past the center and from one end to the other of said twister, said slot having at one end of the twister outwardly beveled edges, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my toe signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT E. ROBERTS.

WVitnesses:

E. L. THURSTON, PHILIP E. KNowLToN. 

